SI connects MENA food innovators for a week of learning and collaboration in Sweden

From 29 September to 4 October 2025, the Swedish Institute welcomed 20 food entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem enablers from across the Middle East and North Africa to Stockholm for SI Food Futures Connect – an intensive week of exchange, collaboration, and inspiration.
Group picture of participants
SI Food Futures Connect 2025- Photo: Rickard Kilström

The programme forms part of Sweden’s development cooperation with the MENA region, supporting the green transition, economic empowerment, and sustainable trade. It brought together emerging leaders developing scalable solutions for healthier, more sustainable, and more just food systems. Seven countries were represented: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq, and the group included both alumni from the SI SHE Entrepreneur programme and from the regional challenge fund Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).  

The programme took place alongside Stockholm Impact Days, organised by Stockholm Business Region. Throughout the week, participants took part in workshops, mentoring sessions, and curated study visits exploring Swedish food innovation and sustainability in practice. The programme began at Big Meet Rosendal, a gathering hosted by Sweden Foodtech showcasing cutting-edge food innovations and circular gastronomy. Midweek, participants joined the Norrsken Impact Meetup and Pitch Night, connecting with Sweden’s startup ecosystem. The week culminated with the Stockholm Food Forum, a two-day global event organised by the EAT Foundation and bringing together scientists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to accelerate food system transformation. 

Three participants are sitting around a table having a conversation.
Photo: Rickard Kilström

 

SI Food Futures Connect facilitated networking and sharing sessions among participants and with Swedish partners, leading to both new ideas and new business collaborations. Sara Al Charif is the Founding Director of Ruwwad Al-Tanmeya and one of the participants from Lebanon, when asked about her main takeaways from the programme, she said: 

“I am here fully inspired by how wide food innovation can be.  I have managed to network with participants and find collaborations and insights I will take with me back home. What was also important for me to understand was the different funding opportunities offered by Swedish institutions and organisations and the opportunity to help expand our connections outside of our country. I am very happy to be here again and to learn from Sweden.”  

Together, these experiences offered a deep dive into Sweden’s innovation ecosystem – from regenerative agriculture and digital food solutions to impact investment and sustainable entrepreneurship. 

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